After postponing the event for two years due to Covid-19, we are delighted to resume Borneo Safari once again where this year, 2022, the convoy will venture around the beautiful jungle located around the district of Kota Belud for 8 Days 7 nights. Ever since the first Borneo Safari made headlines in 1991, the Northern Territory of Borneo, Sabah, is steadily gaining popularity in more countries than ever thanks to Borneo Safari and the countless exposures from the participants, media coverages and social network over the years.
The main event will kick off with a grand flag-off in the heart of the Kota Kinabalu. Vehicles with extreme modifications and decorated with hundreds of stickers offered from Sponsors will fill the roads almost throughout it's intended destination. Every year, different destinations are planned well-ahead and the state of Sabah, North Borneo offers almost unlimited new challenges for its participants, thumbs-up guaranteed. Participants can either compete in the Special Stage category or join the Expedition category for the adventure.
The Borneo Safari 2019 Car of the Year Award winner, a Toyota Land Cruiser BJ80 took the top honour with its detailed attention to reliability and practicality rather than the usual show-and-go concept. The owner is an experienced figure in the local off-road scene and he displayed the years of participating in off-road events via the modifications made to his precious BJ80. He kept the exterior such as the paintjob as close to factory-spec as possible whereby the only mods were consisted of front bullbar and rear bumper bars as well as side rails for added chassis strengthening and protections during his off-road expenditures.
Take for example of the 80 series rear bumper bar, it was made by 4X4labs bought directly from the California, United States which cost more than RM10,000 excluding shipping and fitting them locally!! That’s only one item modified. However the thickness and material used reflected its price tag.
Secondly the front bullbar is made by Australia’s ARB, a brand that is well known in international off-road scene for its quality and durability. The side rails and side steps are also from the same brand where on the driver side, there were battle scars visible. You’ll be thinking it was caused by scrapping some small stones or branches during the expedition? You are dead wrong, according to the owner, he encountered a side slope with a prehistoric stone embedded within it and the scars were inflicted by battling with the huge rock. If you have the chance to see this monster on October 30, you’ll be surprised with how minor the damage caused by the huge rock. I guess Captain BJ80 won that battle easily.
Besides the almost rock-proof exterior, the drivetrain is also upgraded with durability and toughness in mind as the axles are modified with goodies from another United States brand, Nitro Axles. Nitro offers extra long-spline shafts which can be cut to length and blank shafts for custom spline machining whereby its premium aftermarket axles are some of the strongest in the industry by providing an additional 40% strength to the axle shaft. With that said, the owner mentions that the modification cost in excess of more than RM10,000 once again! Talk about premium mods for the sake of reliability (plus points from me personally)
The ballistic-strength of the axles and drivetrain are then combined with Adjustable King Off-Road Shocks and Springs, another brand from the United States known for its durability and performance to ensure the owner capable of conquering any terrains presented by Sabah’s beautiful rainforest.
Rounding off the exterior modifications are the aftermarket roof rack filled important accessories vital when Captain BJ80 encountered hardcore opponents such as several feet deep mudland or pitch black darkness in the wild. There’s an aftermarket LED spotlight, a long one in front and several small ones for the sides and rear part of the car. A TJM Recovery Jack hangs on the driver side of the rack while the other side there’s a scoop alongside a ground anchor to help winching the mighty beast out of trouble while on the driver side also is a Safari Snorkel to help the mighty 4.2 litre 1HD-FT powertrain capable of 168hp and 380Nm of torque to breathe if there is the need to venture cross deep rivers.
Speaking about the engine, it was left untouched except for minor modifications such as a Garrett T04X turbocharger and HKS wastegate where the owner explained that he decided on changing the turbo as the T04X provides its power in the bottom-end to mid-end range which is important for any off-road vehicles. The transmission is a stock 4-speed A343F automatic which is then coupled to the PTO winch on the front ARB bull bar while the uprated power is more than to haul the 36-series centipede off-road tyres as well as Captain BJ80’s three tonnes weight when fully loaded.
Moving inside the beast, most of the panels are left stock but the factory dashboard is filled with toggle switches and buttons essential for vital gadgets such as the diff lock, air locker, air compressor and so on. The owner sit snug-fit on the original Recaro bucket seat while steering Captain BJ80 via the original Momo steering wheel and a half rollcage is installed to protect the occupants in case the beast turtled over its roof during the expedition.
At the back, there are bunch of important equipment and tools installed to improve the occupants’ survival in the jungle while improving Captain BJ80’s practicality attributes. For example, the ARB portable refrigerator and radio booster are powered by an onboard inverter with an Optima dry cell battery which is a completely separated from the main vehicle’s electrical components. In case of emergency, the two systems do not interfere with one another primary functions.
Also located at the rear cabin is a TJM Air Compressor as well as an array of tools by Milwaukee such as chainsaw, power drill and lastly there are first aid kit and towing strap, hook and ropes in case of any emergency or recovery requirements.
Did you know? The owner including John Chak’s Turbo Tech team often went into Sabah’s deep rural areas on emergency expeditions such as rescue missions as well as delivering Covid-19 vaccines during the Movement Control Order (MCO) periods in 2020 and 2021. The gadgets such as the ARB refrigerator played an essential role during the vaccines’ deliveries.
Personally, I love the way the owner modified Captain BJ80 along the years as he told me that this mighty beast has been with him for more than 15 years and still counting. The subtle yet purposeful build prioritising on practicality, reliability and durability. If I were to modify any vehicles myself, these are the best blueprint to follow. It reminds me of my precious Nissan Silvia S13, its not a looker judging by its exterior but mechanically-wise and reliability, it hasn’t cause me any troubles even once (miss ya Shadow-chan, daddy’s coming for you soon) Therefore I do understand the owner’s intentions when modifying this Land Cruiser and for that, I personally give Captain BJ80 plus points as well as acknowledges its Borneo Safari Car of the Year 2019 title.
"WE RIDE TOGETHER, WE CONQUER TOGETHER"
NOTABLE 4X4 ACHIEVEMENTS AS DUO
If we start talking about one of the best competitor combo in Sabah’s off-road scene, surely these two names will ring a bell in your ears, Tenom 4X4 Club’s deadly duo of Ah Kong and Omchai. Correct? If not then it’s okay, you are still green fresh in this part of the jungle then, hence I am here to tell you their story. Ah Kong is considered a veteran in the world of off-road as he started his adventure in the late 1990s whereby his first time competing in Borneo Safari was way back in 1998. Meanwhile for Omchai, his first year competing as co-driver was together with Ah Kong in BS Imbak Canyon 2014 where the pair finished 4th place in their first Borneo Safari together.
The success of 2014 was ride over to the following year as both of them managed another 4th place in the BS Silver Jubilee edition. Then for BS Kinabalu 2016 the duo of Ah Kong and Omchai finally tasted their first victory as they dominated the one-week event to bag the 26th Borneo Safari International Off-Road Challenge title. However in BS Kimanis 2017, controversy hit as with three or four Special Stages (SS) left, Ah Kong and Omchai have mathematically clinched the title however due to Omchai had to leave the event because it was his wedding (awesome timing bro XD XD), the pair was then disqualified under the Competition Format rule.
“It wasn’t a big deal during the 2017 campaign however there were a small group of competitors that showed their displeasure and submitted official protests to the Competition Committee. Our lead at that time was so large that no matter what other teams achieved, we were still mathematically 100% to win. Unfortunately as we all know, jealousy is a b***h and you know who you are that pushed the committee up against the wall with the protest claim. Congratulations to you.” said Ah Kong when we met him in Keningau for the interview session. Dramas and politics are like the bread and butter of any motorsports out there. Not to say I am an old timer to the scene as I am still new to all these as you are but if only we always prioritize comradely and friendship over greed and selfishness, this world could be the best place for everyone as motorsport is one of those common interest shared by many no matter the gender, age and background.
As the 2017 drama subsided, Ah Kong and Omchai were back the following year but the wound still hurts and they succumbed to their lowest finish by placing fifth in the BS KB-KM 2018. Omchai said the rough and negative look the pair received from fellow competitors demotivated slightly them for 2018 but was still satisfied by continuing their Top 5 finish in every Borneo Safari the duo competed together, albeit 2017 which also could be another Top 5 finish. After getting over their disappointment and trial of fire, the deadly combo were back to their top form as they clinched the BS Crocker Range 2019 title in style over their arch rivals to secure their place in the exclusive multiple champions club where the same driver and co-driver pairing won more than one BS title.
Ah Kong and Omchai were riding the champion’s momentum wave high as they came into 2020 with one goal in mind, to win a third BS title. However the world somehow stopped functioning thanks to the global pandemic Covid-19. “Covid-19 abruptly halted our momentum from 100 to zero within a heartbeat as SFWDA postponed Borneo Safari indefinitely at that time which made us wonder will there be any BS in the future. It was challenging not only for us but also everyone in the world during that period. Thankfully early this year, it seems the world slowly getting back onto its feet and we will have Borneo Safari once again!” said a delighted Ah Kong.
Yet through all excitement, Omchai suffered injuries middle of 2022 which ruled him out of competing in the 30th Borneo Safari meaning Ah Kong will be competing with another co-driver for the first time in nearly 10 years! “This was a big setback from our side with Omchai’s unfortunate injuries. Despite this, we will still compete and try to defend our title but it won’t be easy as our fellow rivals are also itching to win. With a novice co-driver beside, it is safe to say we will be competing to provide experience to the new guy rather than aiming a Top 5 finish this time around,” said Ah Kong.
This shows the partnership between the two are inseparable, one is missing then the whole thing collapsed. As the pair would say “We ride together, we conquer together!!!”. Looking forward to this pairing dominates once again in 2023!
"& HIS EVERLASTING ADVENTURE"
There were only a handful of people that were considered as the pioneer of Borneo Safari here in Sabah. David Lin Yin Kon was one of the backbone responsible for the success seen throughout Borneo Safari over the years. David was born on Christmas Day in 1943 where he spent 11 years growing up in Bongawan before moving to Keningau with his father back in 1955. As he grew up, the family started a rice mill business in the district which is still operating nowadays under his children.
According to his second son, Gary Lin, his father’s adventure in off-roading begun when he kept complaining about the series-40 Toyota Land Cruiser’s ride quality as compared to Land Rovers. “My father began modifying to improve the suspension to suit the harsh roads back in the days, most notable he pointed out Toyota’s usage of leaf springs as to Land Rover’s coil springs setup, where obviously he tried to modify it as close to the Land Rover’s setup,” said Gary.
During his early days, David owned variety of 4X4 vehicles namely Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40, Toyota Land Cruiser BJ40 soft-top, Land Rover Series II and Land Rover Series III just to name a few.
In late 1980s, Doctor J.S. Sidhu, Gideon Mosito and Mohd Anuar Abdul Ghani got together to create the Kinabalu Four Wheel Drive Club (KFWDC) in which David joined as one of its founding members when he saw in a local newspaper that Dr. Sidhu was recruiting members for KFWDC.
Among the founders joining Dr Sidhu, Gideon, Anuar and David were Sarjit Ramday, Dr Teoh Siang Chin, Chow Kam Ping and Joseph Tham where the eight of them were involved in the creation of Trans Borneo, the first and original 4x4 series of events in Borneo which ran from 1988 to 1990.
The success of Trans Borneo over the years then led to the inaugural Borneo Safari expedition in 1991. In the words of David Lin “Trans Borneo is every man’s dream”. It means the journey across the muddy jungle terrains of Borneo with friends reflects every man’s dream in life of overcoming challenges, coming on top successfully and having fun with friends.
DAVID LIN YIN KON 25 Dec 1943 - 11 June 2022
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SABAH FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ASSOCIATION
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